A visit to Liverpool awaits for the winners of this tie, with Swansea - 83 places above their opponents and with a record of one defeat in 23 matches - very much the favourites. "As long as the players give it their best then that's all I can ask for," says the Hawks' manager, Shaun Gale.

Match pointer Swansea have lost only three times in the third round in the past 20 years - all in away replays

Tranmere's last visit to Edgar Street came 10 years ago last Saturday and brought them a 3-0 win at the same stage of the FA Cup. Hereford, second in League Two, will be without Toumani Diagouraga for the first time this season - the midfielder, like Tranmere's Ian Goodison, is suspended.

Match pointer Referee Richard Beeby has taken charge of two previous Hereford games - both 3-1 home defeats

The first of two meetings in four days between these teams is also Alan Curbishley's 50th match in charge of West Ham. His captain, Lucas Neill, is the latest player to come off the Hammers' treatment table. For City, Emile Mpenza is back in training but not yet available.

Match pointer Both previous FA Cup ties between these teams have ended with West Ham winning 2-1 away

With both Alan Smith and Nicky Butt suspended and four players at the African Cup of Nations, Newcastle will be missing more than just a manager tonight. Stoke's last five games have featured 14 goals but they all ended in draws; they are unbeaten in 12 but may be without both first-choice full-backs.

Match pointer Stoke have been knocked out of the Cup by Premier League opponents in five of the past six years